Eugene Emeralds

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Eugene Emeralds
Founded in 1955
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene Emeralds.PNG Eugene Emeralds cap.PNG
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassHigh-A
(2021–present)
Previous classes
  • AAA (1969–1973)
  • Short-season A (1966–1968 1974-2019)
  • A (1963–1965)
  • B (1955–1962)
LeagueHigh-A West (2021–present)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamSan Francisco Giants (2021–present)
Previous teams
  • Chicago Cubs (2015–2020)
  • San Diego Padres (2001–2014)
  • Chicago Cubs (1999–2000)
  • Atlanta Braves (1995–1998)
  • Kansas City Royals (1984–1994)
  • Cincinnati Reds (1975–1983)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (1967–1973)
  • Philadelphia Phillies and
    St. Louis Cardinals (1966)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (1964–1965)
  • Chicago White Sox (1963)
  • San Francisco Giants (1959–1962)
Minor league titles
League titles (6)
  • 1955
  • 1974
  • 1975
  • 1980
  • 2016
  • 2018
Division titles (16)
  • 1955
  • 1957
  • 1964
  • 1969
  • 1974
  • 1975
  • 1978
  • 1980
  • 1985
  • 1986
  • 1996
  • 2000
  • 2011
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
Team data
NameEmeralds (1955–present)
ColorsBlack, forest green, lime green, white
       
MascotSluggo [1]
BallparkPK Park (2010–present)
Previous parks
  • Civic Stadium (1969–2009)
  • Bethel Park (1955–1968)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
David Elmore (Elmore Sports Group)
General ManagerAllan Benavides
ManagerLance Rymel [2]

The Eugene Emeralds (nicknamed the Ems) are a minor league baseball team in the northwest United States, based in Eugene, Oregon. The Emeralds are members of the High-A West and are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. Eugene plays their home games at PK Park.

History[]

Founded 66 years ago in 1955 as a charter member of the Northwest League, the Emeralds were named in a contest, won in January by 11-year-old Bowen Blair.[3] They won the inaugural pennant as an independent,[4][5][6] and remained in the NWL for fourteen seasons, through 1968. The Emeralds were the first minor-league team to play in Eugene since the disbanding of the Eugene Larks, who played at Bethel Park for just two seasons, 1950 and 1951.[7]

The Emeralds played in northwest Eugene in 4,000-seat Bethel Park, at Roosevelt Boulevard and Maple Street (

 WikiMiniAtlas
44°03′52″N 123°08′43″W / 44.0644°N 123.1454°W / 44.0644; -123.1454), later torn down for the construction of a highway that wasn't built.[6][8][9] In 1950 and 1951, Bethel Park was the home of the Eugene Larks of the Class D Far West League; its outfield is present-day Lark Park. Its final game in 1968 on August 29 drew 897 fans for a one-hitter and a 7-0 Emeralds win.[10] The NWL changed to a short season league in 1966, and that season opened in Eugene against the Lewiston Broncs. The second pick in the 1966 MLB draft, future hall of famer Reggie Jackson played his first professional games at Bethel Park, as a 20-year-old center fielder, following his sophomore season at Arizona State. Hitless in the opener,[11][12] the next game he got his first pro hit, a single in the first, and later a home run to right field in the ninth.[13][14] He was with the Broncs for less than two weeks, then went to Modesto in the California League.[15][16]

In the 1969 season, the Emeralds were promoted to AAA status in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) as the primary affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Ems returned to the Northwest League five years later when the PCL moved the AAA team to Sacramento for the 1974 season,[17] while the Phillies moved their AAA farm team to the Toledo Mud Hens of the International League. Eugene was an independent/co-op team (Phillies, San Francisco Giants) in 1974,[18][19] then became an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds in 1975.[20]

Entering Triple-A in 1969, the Emeralds moved from Bethel Park to Civic Stadium. The 6,800-seat facility was owned by the Eugene School District and was built in 1938 as a venue for high school football, which was played there until 1968. Civic Stadium also hosted semi-pro baseball teams, sponsored by local timber companies, until Bethel Park was built in 1950. Facing an outdated stadium and high-maintenance costs,[21] in 2010 the Eugene Emeralds moved into PK Park, the new baseball stadium across town that was built by the University of Oregon. The Emeralds new home, PK Park, is adjacent to Autzen Stadium and near the Willamette River. They share the new facility with the Oregon Ducks collegiate baseball team, whose regular season ends in May. This left an antiquated Civic Stadium without any active tenants. A vacant Civic Stadium was destroyed by fire in 2015.[22]

In 2009, playing for the Emeralds, Nate Freiman led the league for the season in RBIs (68), extra-base hits (33) and total bases (140).[23]

A new logo, based upon Sasquatch, was adopted by the Emeralds in 2012.[24] In 2013, the Emeralds partnered with Voodoo Doughnut to offer a bacon maple bratwurst as a specialty food item.[25] Following the 2014 season, the Emeralds switched from being an affiliate of the San Diego Padres to the Chicago Cubs, who signed Eugene to a two-year deal through 2016.[26] The player development contract was extended through the 2018 season on June 14, 2016.

In 2016, the Emeralds were awarded two "Golden Bobbleheads" for Minor League Baseball's Best Community Promotion and Best Overall Promotion. The awards were due to their work with Children's Miracle Network and their honorary player that year, Hayden Kumle.[27]

The Emeralds won the NWL title in 2018 despite finishing 31–45 (.408), last in the overall standings. They clinched a wild card playoff spot with a 17–21 (.447) record in the second half, second behind Hillsboro, who had finished first in both halves. The Emeralds proceeded to sweep both Hillsboro and Spokane in the postseason en route to the title. Dubbed the "Bad News Ems," the .408 regular season winning percentage was the worst ever for a NWL champion.[28] Following that season, the Emeralds were awarded the 53rd Annual Larry MacPhail Award, this award is in recognition for the franchises top promotional effort.[29]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minor League Baseball season was cancelled. In the winter of 2020 as part the reorganization of minor league baseball, Eugene received an invitation to play as the High-A affiliate of San Francisco Giants.[30] In a further change, they were organized into the High-A West along with five other teams previously of the Northwest League.[31]

Playoffs[]

  • 1974: Defeated Bellingham 2–1 to win league championship.
  • 1975: Defeated Portland 2–0 to win league championship.
  • 1979: Lost to Grays Harbor 1–0 in finals.
  • 1980: Declared co-champion with Bellingham.
  • 1985: Lost to Everett 1–0 in finals.
  • 1986: Lost to Bellingham 1–0 in finals.
  • 1996: Lost to Yakima 2–0 in finals.
  • 2000: Lost to Yakima 3–2 in finals.
  • 2011: Lost to Vancouver 2–1 in semifinals.
  • 2016: Defeated Hillsboro 2–1 in semifinals; defeated Everett 2–1 to win league championship.
  • 2017: Defeated Hillsboro 2–0 in semifinals; Lost to Vancouver 3–1 in finals.
  • 2018: Defeated Hillsboro 2–0 in semifinals; defeated Spokane 3–0 to win league championship.

Notable alumni[]

Ian Happ running the bases for the Chicago Cubs in 2017 (2015 Eugene Emeralds Outfielder)
Ian Happ (2015 Eugene Emeralds Outfielder)

Hall of Fame alumni

  • Jim Bunning (1973, MGR) Inducted, 1996[32]
  • Mike Schmidt (1972) Inducted, 1995 [32]

Notable alumni

See also[]

  • Eugene Emeralds players   (1955–present)
  • Eugene Larks players   (1950–1951)

Roster[]

Eugene Emeralds roster
  • v
  • t
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 31 Nick Avila
  • 28 Solomon Bates
  • 14 Seth Corry
  •  8 Jake Dahlberg
  • -- Bryce Fehmel Injury icon 2.svg
  • -- John Gavin Injury icon 2.svg
  • 50 Jasier Herrera
  • 87 Ben Madison Injury icon 2.svg
  • -- Nick Morreale Injury icon 2.svg
  • 35 Conner Nurse
  • 34 Travis Perry
  • 49 Aaron Phillips
  • 23 Taylor Rashi
  • 26 Austin Reich
  • 29 John Russell
  • -- JJ Santa Cruz Injury icon 2.svg
  • 13 Tyler Schimpf
  • 40 Kai-Wei Teng
  • 15 Bryce Tucker
  • -- Cole Waites Injury icon 2.svg
  • 37 Ryan Walker
  • -- Keaton Winn Injury icon 2.svg
  • -- Jake Wong Injury icon 2.svg
  • 39 Chris Wright

Catchers

  •  6 Brett Auerbach
  •  2 Robert Emery
  • 16 Ricardo Genovés

Infielders

  •  7 Carter Aldrete
  •  9 Nolan Dempsey
  • 17 Tyler Fitzgerald
  • 1 Marco Luciano
  • 33 Sean Roby

Outfielders

  • 95 Hunter Bishop Injury icon 2.svg
  • 46 Tyler Flores
  • 48 Franklin Labour
  • 38 Ismael Munguia
  • 10 Heath Quinn
  •  5 Armani Smith

Manager

  • 12 Dennis Pelfrey

Coaches

  • 21 Cory Elasik (hitting)
  • 19 Lipso Nava (fundamentals)
  • 43 Alain Quijano (pitching)


Injury icon 2.svg 7-day injured list
* On San Francisco Giants 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
± Taxi squad
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated July 27, 2021
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • High-A West
 → San Francisco Giants minor league players

References[]

  1. ^ "Meet Sluggo".
  2. ^ "Lance Rymel Named New Ems Manager - emeraldsbaseball.com - Official Site of the Eugene Emeralds". milb.com/eugene.com - Official Site of the Eugene Emeralds. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  3. ^ "Eugene Emeralds". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). January 24, 1955. p. 2B.
  4. ^ Strite, Dick (September 13, 1955). "Championship club could set new pattern in minor leagues". Eugene Register-Guard. p. 1A.
  5. ^ Strite, Dick (September 13, 1955). "Emeralds claim Northwest crown". Eugene Register-Guard. p. 2B.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Rodman, Bob (June 17, 1981). "29 years of minor league baseball". Eugene Register-Guard. p. 1E.
  7. ^ "About Eugene Emeralds | Eugene Emeralds Club Information". Eugene Emeralds. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  8. ^ "State buys Bethel baseball park". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. October 24, 1969. p. 16A.
  9. ^ Clark, Bob (June 29, 2004). "Deep and playable". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Emeralds at 50. p. E1.
  10. ^ Harvey, Paul, III (August 30, 1968). "Ballinger 1-hits Giants in 7-0 Emerald win". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. p. 3B.
  11. ^ "Eugene Emeralds outlast Broncs 8-7 in 10 innings". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. June 25, 1966. p. 8.
  12. ^ Harvey, Paul, III (June 25, 1966). "Emeralds corral Broncs just in time". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. p. 1B.
  13. ^ "Lewiston defeats Emeralds behind Abbot's 7-hitter". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. June 26, 1966. p. 12.
  14. ^ Harvey, Paul, III (June 26, 1966). "Emeralds handed first loss". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. p. 1B.
  15. ^ "Reggie Jackson going to Modesto". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). July 8, 1966. p. 10.
  16. ^ "Broncs to open 4-game city at Tri-City". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). July 9, 1966. p. 10.
  17. ^ "PCL owners approve shift to Sacramento". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). December 3, 1973. p. 3B.
  18. ^ Withers, Bud (June 18, 1974). "NWL is back". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 1B.
  19. ^ "Northwest League opens tonight". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. June 18, 1974. p. 11.
  20. ^ Withers, Bud (June 19, 1975). "Down by two, NWL opens 21st campaign". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 3C.
  21. ^ "Eugene Emeralds say hello -- and prepare to say goodbye -- to Civic Stadium". Retrieved 2016-09-06.
  22. ^ "3 boys get probation for fire that leveled Eugene's Civic Stadium". Retrieved 2016-09-06.
  23. ^ Jonathan Mayo (December 4, 2009). "Plenty of potential among Padres' Draft picks". Sandiego.padres.mlb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  24. ^ Mickler, Lauren (November 27, 2012). "Eugene Emeralds Unveil New Logo". KEZI. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  25. ^ "Eugene Emeralds + Voodoo Doughnut = Bacon Maple Brat". KVAL-TV. 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  26. ^ Timmers, Josh (2014-09-19). "Cubs Sign 2-Year Affiliation With Eugene Emeralds". Bleed Cubbie Blue. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
  27. ^ "Emeralds Receive Two Coveted". OurSports Central. 2016-10-04. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  28. ^ Horton, Josh (2018-09-11). "Eugene balks it off to capture NWL crown". MiLB. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  29. ^ Editors, Ballpark Digest (2018-10-25). "Eugene Emeralds Win Larry MacPahil Award". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2020-11-02.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Guardado, Maria (2020-12-09). "Giants invite 4 Minor League affiliates". MLB.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  31. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
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  40. ^ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=carter001lan
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  49. ^ Oscar Gamble Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com
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  56. ^ Ian Happ Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com
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External links[]

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